He will have to fight mandatory challenger Ruiz before attempting to beat one of the Klitschko brothers.

Vitali was quoted in a Ukrainian newspaper saying that a "preliminary agreement" for a fight with the London-born boxer had already been reached but Haye rejected those claims last night.

Apparently we have some sort of agreement but I have no idea where he has got that from, he has made that up from somewhere," --David Haye

"Apparently we have some sort of agreement but I have no idea where he has got that from, he has made that up from somewhere," Haye told Press Association Sport.

"I haven't actually talked to them since before the Valuev fight. Next up for me is John Ruiz. After I've beaten him up good style then I'm going to sit round the table and we'll talk about a fight with Vitali."

Haye's victory against the giant Valuev earned him praise around the world and he is seen by promoters and fans as a much more exciting boxer than the slow but efficient Klitschko brothers.

Haye is thought to be keen on agreeing a deal to fight Vitali in front of a capacity crowd at Wembley Stadium next year.